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Snakes are great hunters,
but often they’re the prey. Birds,
raccoons, foxes, and other animals have
a taste for snakes. One way to hide is with
camouflage. Many snakes sport colors and
patterns that allow them to blend in with
their surroundings. For instance, a green tree
python looks like a vine when it coils itself
around a branch. A yellow eyelash viper
blends in with flowers. And a rainbow
boa disappears on gnarled tree
stumps. Poof, gone.
Scientists have discovered
that the same poison that
causes awful symptoms—
and even death—in
people who have been
bitten by a venomous
snake can be turned
into medicines.
Here are a few
examples.
COPPERHEAD
SYMPTOMS IF BITTEN:
swelling, difficulty
breathing, low blood
pressure, bleeding
USED TO TREAT:
breast cancer
WESTERN
RATTLESNAKE
SYMPTOMS IF BITTEN:
muscle twitches, swelling,
low blood pressure, vomiting,
difficulty breathing,
bleeding
USED TO
TREAT:
heart
attacks
GABOON
VIPER
SYMPTOMS IF BITTEN:
cardiac arrest, fever,
internal hemorrhaging,
blistering, swelling
USED TO TREAT: strokes
SOME SNAKES
CAN DISAPPEAR.
VENOM
can be good
for you!
BRAZILIAN RAINBOW BOA